After the Rain Read Online Free PDF Page B

cup. Would you like any cream or sugar? Maybe a drop of honey?”
    “A drop of honey would be lovely, thank you.” Bracing one hand against her back, she lowered herself onto a settee which had ornate carvings etched into the wood frame. Six months into her pregnancy, she wondered if her body would ever feel normal again. She took a deep breath and found herself fighting a yawn.
    “The tea will soothe you,” Myrtle assured her, walking back into the room. “Having children is a rewarding experience, but it does wreak havoc on a woman. When are you expecting your little one’s arrival?”
    “Sometime in May. My husband passed before I knew I was with child,” Lettie told her, finding a way to tell her the child was legitimate.
    Myrtle frowned. “You poor thing, it’s no wonder you swooned on us. So much is happening so quickly, you can’t help being overwhelmed.”
    Lifting the small cup to her lips, Lettie took a small sip. “The last few months have been a journey, but I have to keep faith that there is a greater plan.”
    “That is a marvelous attitude to have. There’ve been events in my own life in which I questioned why, but I never gave up. Tomorrow always brings a new day.”
    Against her will, Lettie’s bottom lip began to quiver. “Some days are harder than others.”
    “That is natural. My first-born son died when he was only five. There were days I didn’t want to go on, but as time went by, those days came less and less. I got by with the help from the three F’s.”
    “The three F’s?”
    “Family, friends, and faith.”
    “At least I have faith. One out of three must count for something,” Lettie muttered, not realizing she spoke out loud.
    “You’re wrong, dear. You have a friend right here.” Myrtle reached over and patted her hand. “And when you marry Rand, he will become your family. He’s a good man. He’s only been in Weatherton about two years but has earned the respect of everyone. Doesn’t talk much about his past, but he wouldn’t be the first to come west to escape.”
    Lettie bit the inside of her cheek before she could reveal information that wasn’t hers to share. She hadn’t known Rand had been here that short of a time, but she could piece together enough to decipher that he had moved from wherever to escape the memories of his wife.
    The men entered the house through a rear door, snowflakes dusting their coats.
    “Another storm is coming,” Flynn announced, brushing off his long, black felt duster.
    “I don’t mean to rush you, but if we’re going to see the preacher today, we need to go now before the snow has fully arrived.” Rand looked at her with a questioning gaze.
    “I am ready.” She stood from her seat. “Thank you for your hospitality,” she told Myrtle.
    “Wait, Flynn and I are coming with you. You’ll need a witness, correct?” Myrtle jumped up from her seat, quickly gathering the empty teacups and saucers.
    Lettie hadn’t thought of that. She looked to Rand for the answer.
    “Yes, we will. We’d be honored to have you there.”
    “Then let’s go.” When Myrtle cast a smile her way, Lettie felt she had, truly, found a friend.
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    Pastor Gibbons stood in front of the altar instead of his usual spot behind the pulpit. Rand stood facing him with Lettie at his side. Myrtle stood beside Lettie and Flynn beside him. When he’d married Mellie, he’d held her hand during the ceremony. At the beginning of this wedding, he had reached for Lettie’s hand but withdrew before making contact.
    Once the pastor began, Rand forced all thoughts of Mellie from his mind. He’d made a decision, and he had to honor it. Thinking of his first wife while marrying his second was uncouth—he owed it to Lettie to focus on her. His eyes sure didn’t mind focusing their attention on her. Behind her obvious exhaustion, existed an attractive woman with a wholesome beauty. Silky strands of auburn hair were pulled back into a twisted